By The Book

Kathy Harris is an author by way of a “divine detour” into the Nashville entertainment business. After graduating with a Communications degree from Southern Illinois University, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to work with a well-known gospel music quartet. A few months later, The Oak Ridge Boys began their transition into country music, and Kathy had the opportunity to help build an entertainment empire from the ground up.

She worked her way to becoming a member of the Operations Management Team, eventually heading up the company’s public relations and marketing department. A lifelong fascination for books and editing led to her working as a book agent for Oak Ridge Boys’ vocalist Joe Bonsall. Joe, subsequently, published three books, including his bestselling inspirational biography, G.I. Joe & Lillie.

For several years, Kathy freelanced entertainer biographies and wrote (as well as ghost wrote) news stories and columns for various music publications. In 2007, she sold her first Christian non-fiction story, “Walk on Water,” which was included in Thomas Nelson’s All My Bad Habits I Learned from Grandpa. That fall, one of her devotions was included in The One Year Life Verse Devotional, published by Tyndale House. Kathy’s writing is also included in Chicken Soup for the Soul Thanks, Mom.

An active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the publicity officer for Middle Tennessee Christian Writers. Kathy lives near Nashville with her husband and their two Shiloh Shepherd dogs. She regularly interviews literary and music guests on her blog at www.DivineDetour.com. You can visit her author website at www.KathyHarrisBooks.com.

Visit her at Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/DivineDetour

Like Kathy at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathyHarrisAuthor

Pick up your copy of The Road to Mercy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Road-Mercy-Kathy-Harris/dp/1426741936/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330640867&sr=1-1

Purchase your copy of The Road to Mercy at the publisher’s website: http://www.abingdonpress.com/forms/DynamicContent.aspx?id=162&pageid=700

Pick up your copy of The Road to Mercy at Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-road-to-mercy-kathy-harris/1108857098

My Impressions:

How strong is your faith? Can it withstand the hardships of life or is it built on sand, ready to be swept away in the first big storm? These are the questions explored in Kathy Harris’ new book, The Road to Mercy. Drawing on her years of experience in the Nashville music industry, Harris sets this book of faith, guilt, mercy and forgiveness against the backdrop of the Christian music business. Josh and Bethany Harrison have an idyllic life; Josh’s career is going strong and their marriage is the stuff of storybook romances. But all seems to come unravelled when Bethany is struck by a devastating illness. Other situations arise to test the strength of their marriage and their firm belief in God’s provision, protection and mercy. Another storyline runs along with Josh and Bethany’s. Dr. Ben Abrams doesn’t believe in anything other than his own initiative and determination. The two stories intersect when Dr. Abrams takes on Bethany’s case.

The Road to Mercy can be described as a domestic drama — marriage, pregnancy, finances, secrets all play a role in the story. I was dismayed by Josh’s reaction to Bethany’s medical condition, but think that the emotions displayed are pretty realistic even among those of faith. And Bethany’s feelings of guilt and culpability are very real even in light of God’s forgiveness. Many choose to believe the lie that God holds their sins to mete out punishment later. My favorite character is Alex, Bethany’s friend and caretaker. Here is a character that lived her faith and modeled Jesus’ love towards others.

If you like contemporary drama with a faith message, then check out The Road to Mercy.

Recommended.

(I received The Road to Mercy from Pump Up Your Book in return for an honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)